Comino, the Blue Lagoon and St. Mary's Tower

When the last trip to Comino was canceled due to weather, my flatmate Bernhard decided to set up a time for the next Sunday when he was going to go. I am not sure if he invited me or I invited myself, but we got on the bus early to get to the ferry at a decent hour. Comino is a tiny island located in between the island Malta and the island of Gozo – all three islands are a part of the nation of Malta. Comino has been inhabited in the past, but now only hosts four permanent residents. It is famous for its Blue Lagoon, which gets crowded in the afternoon, especially since sandy beach spots are so few and any by-the-sea perch is at a premium. The water in the Blue Lagoon is clear and calm. It was relatively warm though only after I convinced myself that it wasn’t cold, I was just being a wuss. Stronger swimmers can get to the smaller island of Cominotto, where there appears to be not much except respite from the mass of tourist that may be on the other side. Those who wish to spend most of the day at Blue Lagoon would do well with renting a deck chair and an umbrella for about 10 Euros. There are public restrooms available though you may want to bring your own toilet paper. Food trucks, nothing fancy, are available to serve with prices being reasonable compared to what one might expect, or bring your own food and have a picnic. The hotel on the island caters to its guests though if you would like a multi-course meal, it is the place to go. You may be able to get gift cards to pay for your meal at reception as, at the time of this writing, the bar and restaurant did not accept cash. Either the Blue Lagoon or the hotel can offer you several different kinds of water sport activities, including diving, snorkeling and water skiing. The island itself is an almost barren rock. The plant life that does grow there uncultivated is protected, and visitors should avoid stepping on it. There are no trees and very little shade. Skinks run rampant and will often scamper off the trail as you pass. Comino has been used as a pirate’s lair and an isolation zone for victims of cholera and the plague (the hospital now sits in disuse, except maybe as a storage area). In 1618, Grand Master Wigancourt ordered the construction of St. Mary’s tower. The tower fell into disrepair but has under gone a renovation and now houses a series of explanations about how it was used. The DVD that plays on repeat in the forum also talks about the history and proudly proclaims that the tower can be seen in The Count of Monte Cristo. Comino offers some fabulous scenery, and at least during the shoulder season, heading to the island is worthwhile for anyone who enjoys water sports or land- and seascapes that feature windows, arches and natural pools carved by nature. (Also, the geocaching was good.)

Backstroke in the Blue Lagoon

This cistern collected rainwater from the roof to help supply water needs of those garrisoned here.